Orioles-Rays series preview: Bundy, Means and some TBDs

The Orioles head down to Tampa for a three game set. After two dominant performances against Cleveland, the Orioles forgot how to score on Sunday. You can read that recap by Stacey here. Still, the Orioles enter this series with an amount of momentum that’s been hard to come by this season. Can they ride it to another series victory?

Game 1 - Monday, 7:10

TBD vs. Ryne Stanek (0-1, 2.76)

As of late Sunday night, the Orioles had not declared a starter for the first game of the series. The Orioles lack of pitching depth has been well documented this season, and it continues to be an issue. Still, Baltimore pitchers can enter Tampa Bay with a bit of swagger after an outstanding weekend performance. The Orioles allowed only two runs in three games against Cleveland to earn a well-overdue series victory. Even Gabriel Ynoa got involved, allowing just one run in 5.1 innings Sunday afternoon.

The Orioles are expected to call up Tom Eshelman from Norfolk, and he may be named the starter at some point today. The 25-year-old was scratched from a Sunday start for the Tides. Eshelman, a former Phillies prospect, made three starts for Norfolk after being acquired in June.

Ryne Stanek will serve as the opener for Tampa Bay. The Orioles website notes that Tampa has won 15 of 23 games when Stanek begins the game on the mound. Ryan Yarbrough is also expected to pitch for the Rays.

Game 2 - Tuesday, 7:10

Dylan Bundy (3-10, 4.91) vs. Charlie Morton (8-2, 2.43)

Dylan Bundy will look to bounce back against the Rays after a rough go his last time out. Bundy delivered his worst start since April on June 26 against the Padres. He allowed five earned runs in only four innings against San Diego. Bundy walked three and allowed two homers in the game. Fortunately, he pitched much better the last time he faced the Rays. Bundy worked into the eighth inning and allowed only three hits in a shutout victory on May 4.

The Rays will counter with Charlie Morton. Morton is earning his money down in Tampa, and has followed up an All-Star season with another in 2019. Ground-Chuck has continued to keep the ball on the ground, but Baltimore will look to elevate a few in the second game of the series. After a bullpen game on Monday, Tampa will look for Morton to go deep into the game.

Game 3 - Wednesday, 7:10

John Means (7-4, 2.50) vs TBD

Have you heard the news? If you’re on this site, you probably have... John Means is an All Star! Means is currently the only All Star from Baltimore, but it’s not his fault that Trey Mancini was not named to the American League roster. As you can read in Mark Brown’s article, Means has come out of nowhere to have an All-Star caliber year. Means returned from a short stint on the IL on Friday, and allowed only one hit in five innings. It’s scary to think about the Orioles rotation without Means pitching every fifth day.

The Rays have yet to announce a starter for Wednesday, and could roll with the bullpen again. Whoever they send out, they might have some trouble matching Means. However, Means hasn’t gone deeper than six innings since May 6, so the Orioles will need the back end of the bullpen to come up big if they hope to win the series.